Tips offered on telemarketing fraud

A host of governmental agencies have joined forces to send out a mailing offering tips to protect yourself from telemarketing or mail scams. The flyer was produced by an organization called “Know Fraud” and offers a toll free number to call if you have questions or suspect fraud. Vonnie Johnson of Runnels says she wishes her elderly mother had such a flyer a couple of years ago when she was conned out of more than 40-thousand dollars by telemarketers.Johnson says her mother would even dress up and refuse to leave home, sure that her million dollar check would be arriving any day. An assistant U-S attorney in Iowa’s southern district says stories like that are all too common. Bob Doff says that is why his office helped establish the “Know Fraud” consumer protection group.Doff says each year many elderly Iowans are bilked out of their life savings.Doff says even if the con artists are prosecuted, the money is difficult to recoup.